CGHS Wellness Center in Sambalpur: In a major step toward improving healthcare access in western Odisha, a new Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Wellness Center will soon be set up in Sambalpur. The announcement was made by Union Education Minister and Sambalpur MP Dharmendra Pradhan, bringing relief to thousands of central government employees and pensioners in the region.
The decision comes after Union Health Minister JP Nadda responded positively to Pradhan’s request. According to officials, the proposal has already received the required approvals from both the Health Ministry and the Finance Ministry.
Long-Standing Demand Finally Addressed
Sambalpur is home to several important central government institutions, including BSNL, the Postal Department, the Income Tax Department, the East Coast Railway, the Central Excise Department, the CRPF Group Center, the Indian Institute of Management Sambalpur, and multiple Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan schools.
Despite the presence of these institutions and a large number of central government staff and pensioners, the region currently lacks a CGHS facility.
Because of this, beneficiaries have been forced to travel more than 300 kilometers to cities such as Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, or Berhampur to receive CGHS medical services. For elderly pensioners, this long-distance travel has often created serious difficulties in accessing timely healthcare.
How the Proposal Was Approved
The proposal began when Dharmendra Pradhan wrote to Health Minister JP Nadda on September 8, 2025, highlighting the healthcare challenges faced by central government beneficiaries in Sambalpur.
In response, Nadda confirmed that the government has now approved the required infrastructure and staff positions for the new CGHS Wellness Center.
The upcoming facility will include several key healthcare posts, such as:
- Medical Officers
- Nursing Officers
- Pharmacists
- Junior Health Administrative Assistants
Until the wellness center becomes fully operational, pensioners will continue receiving services from nearby CGHS cities, while serving employees will keep getting medical benefits under the Central Services (Medical Attendance) Rules.
Government’s Support and Vision
Pradhan expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Health Minister JP Nadda for supporting the initiative.
According to him, the new CGHS facility will make healthcare services more accessible, faster, and convenient for government employees and retired pensioners living in the region. He emphasized that the wellness center will significantly reduce travel burdens while ensuring quality medical care closer to home.
A Step Toward Better Regional Healthcare
The establishment of the CGHS Wellness Center in Sambalpur is part of the government’s broader effort to strengthen public healthcare infrastructure, particularly in regions where services have been limited. Once operational, the center is expected to benefit thousands of central government employees, retirees, and their families across Sambalpur and nearby districts.
For many residents, this development marks a long-awaited improvement in healthcare accessibility and convenience in western Odisha.
